Whip Coral

Appearance

This gorgonian forms bushes with long branches very little branched, quite straight, of an orange-pale color. The 8 tentacle polyps are white, long and thin, giving a fluffy appearance. Size 60 - 100 cm.

Naming

Ellisella Gray, 1858
Orig. name
Gorgonia ceratophyta Linnaeus, 1758
Synonymised names
Ctenocella ceratophyta Linnaeus, 1758
Gorgonia ceratophyta Linnaeus, 1758 (synonym)
Gorgonia sasappo Pallas, 1766 (synonym)
Leptogorgia boryana Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857 (synonym)
Verrucella stellata Nutting, 1910 (synonym)

Habitat

It is found on mixed coral reefs, depth 20- 50 m.

Reproduction

The class of anthozoa is gonochoric or hermaphrodite. Mature gametes are eliminated in the coelenteron and appear through the mouth. Fertilization is external. The larvae are planktonic, before settling and developing on the substrate.

Food

It feeds on plankton